Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch was taken to hospital today after collapsing at a promotional event in the Spanish capital.
Medical staff said the 87-year-old had responded well to
treatment at the Clinico hospital and would be able to leave
hospital soon.
"He suffered a rise in his arterial blood pressure and then
fainted which is a frequent occurrence when this happens," Doctor
Pedro Tarquis told Spanish Radio 5.
"He is conscious, stable and has responded well to the
treatment. If he continues to respond as he has done up to now he
will be able to go home in a few hours."
Witnesses reported that Samaranch was rushed to hospital
after fainting shortly before he was due to attend the presentation
of a fund-raising event organised by Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker
Casillas and tennis player Rafael Nadal.
Samaranch was head of the IOC between 1980 and 2001 and is
now an honorary life president of the organisation.
He remains an active figure in Spanish and international
sports administration and is often present at high-profile events
such as Wednesday's presentation. He was in Lausanne last week at
an IOC Executive Board meeting.